The past two weeks had been a relaxing and enlightening experience in so many ways. This was my first real vacation in a long time. I am grateful to my family, university, superiors and colleagues for allowing me to take time off at such a busy month. I am also thankful for the people over at Europe who care about me and enabled me to enjoy my time to its fullest. It was not until I was there when I fully appreciated how far family and friends went out of their way to make sure I was taken care of. I will never forget that and hopefully, someday, they will all give me the chance to return the favor.

My only regret is that I was not able to see as many of them as I had hoped. Surprisingly enough, there wasn’t enough time even under the circumstances, and I did not want people to ride on a train or bus for hours just to quickly meet up.

While I did do a little touring, to me, this was more about people than it is about the places. It was about a plea to breathe and clear my head. Even the thought of sitting all day in a garden in a small European town sipping coffee, so far away from home, is an extreme privilege of which I am eternally thankful.

For now, my fascination towards Europe has subsided and I worry a little for its future. But at the same time, unlike before, I have a good feeling that I will make it back there sooner than later. And hopefully, with my family in tow.